Brothers who entered country illegally accused of sexually abusing two girls

Published 2:50 p.m. ET March 7, 2019
Eric Rogers

INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Two brothers renting a room in an Indian River County home are accused of sexually abusing two girls, one over a period of years, according to reports filed with the court.

Deputies said Julio Cesar Carcamo-Zelaya, 32, and Carlos Eduardo Lara-Zelaya, 27, both of Honduras, were also using falsified documents to live in the country illegally when the suspected abuse occurred.

The girls, now 17 and 21 years old, filed a complaint with Indian River County deputies in December alleging Carcamo-Zelaya and Lara-Zelaya had abused them over a period of about four years, starting in 2010 when they were 9 and 13.

The complaint focused mainly on Carcamo-Zelaya, whom the girls told investigators would perform or attempt numerous sexual acts on them as they watched cartoons or drove around in his car, according to a warrant affidavit.

During the investigation, detectives learned the brothers had entered the country illegally from Honduras about 10 years ago on forged immigration documents, including fake permanent resident cards and stolen Social Security numbers, deputies said.

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Julio Carcamo-Zelaya, 32, of Honduras, was arrested Feb. 27 after deputies said he sexually abused a pair of young girls in Indian River County. (Photo: CONTRIBUTED PHOTO BY INDIAN RIVER COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE)

The men were detained by United States Customs and Border Patrol Jan. 25 and slated for deportation, but Carcamo-Zelaya contested the order and initially was released on $10,000 bail, the affidavit said.

He was arrested Feb. 27 on charges of sexual battery on a child under 12 and felony criminal use of personal identification.

Lara-Zelaya was deported to Honduras Feb. 25, customs officials said. A warrant for his arrest on lewd and lascivious molestation on a child under 12 was issued Feb. 27, according to Sheriff's Office records.

Detective Greg Farless said the state will not seek extradition but the warrant will remain active in case Lara-Zelaya returns to the country.

State prosecutors will consult with the girls in the next few weeks to determine if they want to continue with charges against Carcamo-Zelaya or proceed with deportation, Farless said.

Carcamo-Zelaya was being held without bond at the Indian River County Jail Friday on a detainer from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

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